The Famous Five

Five women from Western Canada fought for women's right to be recognized as a person in Canada.
These women were: Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, and Irene Parlby. They were successful in their fight and in 1929, women were granted the status of "Persons" and thus could vote and sit on the Senate.

Statues were designed by Barbara Paterson and were cast in bronze in Calgary, Alberta. There are two sets of these statues in Canada. One is located at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, and the other is near Olympic Plaza in Calgary, Alberta.

Nellie McClung was a Calgarian and people can also visit her house, which is a historic site in Calgary.

The Famous Five Statues in Calgary, AB

Statue of Nellie McClung in Ottawa, ON

Statue of Irene Parlby in Ottawa, ON

Statues of Henrietta Muir Edwards and Louise McKinney in Ottawa, ON

Statue of Emily Murphy in Ottawa, ON

These five women played a very important role in Canadian history. They are known as the Famous Five.

~Angie

Frank Slide

One great day trip in Southern Alberta, in the Crowsnest Pass, is the Frank Slide. The town of Frank, Alberta, was a mining town in the early 1900's. Approximately 600 residents were sleeping, and there were miners in the coal mine at the bottom of Turtle Mountain, when in the early morning hours of April 29, 1903, a massive chunk if rock broke away and tumbled down the mountain. As it fell, it broke apart leaving a mass of destruction in its path.

Some people living on the outskirts of Frank were killed in the landslide. The entrance to the mine was blocked, but the miners were able to dig themselves out.

The rubble that was strewn across the base of Turtle Mountain was left as is, and the side of the mountain remains as it was over 100 years ago after the slide happened. Visitors can walk around the area on a 1.5km pathway to view the damage. There are signs along the highway and around the Visitor Centre that tell the story of Frank and the Frank Slide. The Visitor Centre also offers an interpretive tour that offers more information about the area and the Frank Slide.

For more information, visit: http://history.alberta.ca/frankslide/

~Angie

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is a popular resort town near Tauranga, New Zealand. It is known for its great weather, beaches and surfing and is often compared to Australia's Gold Coast.

Mount Maunganui is a dormant volcano rising 232 metres at the far end of the peninsula. It is a popular area for outdoor activities. The Māori name for Mount Maunganui is Mauao, meaning "caught by the morning sun." It is a sacred site for three local Māori tribes known as the "Iwi."

There is a Māori legend about the volcano and how it came to be situated where it is today and how it got its name. It is a story about a love triangle, full of heartache. Three mountains surrounded Tauranga - Puwhena, Otanewainuku, and the nameless one.  Puwhena was female and the other two were male. The nameless one was in love with Puwhena, but her heart belonged to Otanewainuku. The nameless one decided to drown himself when his love would not be reciprocated by Puwhena.

The nameless one decided to appeal to the Patupaiarehe, the people who had magical powers, for help. He asked them to drag him to the ocean so that he could drown himself there. They obliged and during the night dragged him across the peninsula, creating the valley where the Waimupu River flows. Waimupu means "weeping waters" in Māori. However, this journey took longer than expected and he was caught a sunrise on the edge of the peninsula and was frozen where he stood. The Patupaiarehe decided to give the nameless one a name, Mauao, which means "caught by the morning sun."

One of the best short walks in New Zealand is the Base Track around Mount Maunganui. This is a fairly easy trek around the side of the volcano. On the west side is a bronze statue of the Māori god of the sea, Tangaroa.

For a longer trek and great views, you can hike up the volcano to the summit. This takes about an hour and a half, round trip. There are lots of rest stops which allow for great photo ops of the peninsula and townsite.

Those who are interested in surfing or sunbathing can go to the Main Beach. This beach is quite long and has a man-made reef, which allows for great surfing. Or you can walk along the boardwalk, which runs along the the beach.

So, if you are visiting the Bay of Plenty, or Tauranga, be sure to go to Mount Maunganui. It is a great option for a day trip, and you won't be disappointed!

~Angie

London Calling

London is my favourite city to visit in the world. It has a lot to offer. It is very easy to navigate around using the Tube, buses or walking. London is a great mix of modern and ancient. It has lots of history, but also has a lot of cultural delights too.

Parliament and the Westminster Clock

And it is full of famous attractions.

Some of the best attractions that I suggest you visit are:

The British Museum

I missed this on my first trip to London, so it was on my list for things to see when I returned ten years later.

The entrance to the British Museum

The Great Court

One thing I really wanted to see was the Rosetta Stone. This stone helped decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. It was obtained by the British and moved to London in 1802. The Rosetta Stone is behind glass. You are allowed to take photos, but have to deal with the reflection of your flash. The whole Egyptian wing of the British Museum was exciting to see.

The Rosetta Stone

Another gallery that I really enjoyed was the Clock gallery. This was so interesting and a huge surprise! There are lots of different types of clocks and watches to look at.

The clock that is just outside the entrance to the Clock Gallery

The last section that I wandered through was the Chinese section. This included items from the Ming Dynasty, and lots of statues, ornaments, etc from China. It was very interesting.

A Chinese figurine

Admission is free. The British Museum is open late on Fridays and is open every day except January 1, December 24, 25 and 26th.

The Tower of London

One of the most famous and oldest attractions in London is the Tower of London. This was famous for the beheadings that took place there. In particular, Anne Boelyn and Katherine Howard. 

The Tower of London beside the Thames River

It is famous for being the hiding place of Elizabeth Woodville and her children during the War of the Roses. Also located here is the Bloody Tower where her sons, the Little Princes, were murdered in 1483. 

The Tower of London also houses the Crown Jewels. This gallery was very interesting to see. I especially enjoyed seeing the crown that Queen Elizabeth II wore at her Coronation.

The Tower Bridge

One great way to see London and arrive at the Tower is to go in a boat along the Thames. The Thames River Cruise offers a one day pass for $18 CAD one way. There is also a hop-on-hop-off option for $33 CAD.

Or you can buy a London Pass and get into several attractions including the Tower of London for one price. 

The London Eye

The London Eye is one modern attraction that provides a great way to view London from above. This was built to celebrate the dawning of the 21st century, so originally was called the Millenium Wheel.

You can buy online and skip the line-up for $56 CAD.

The London Eye

Notting Hill

I really like the movie Notting Hill, so wanted to see where the events in the film were located. I walked down Portobello Road, one of the most famous roads in London. This led me to the Blue Door Tea House. I was unable to find the Blue Door house (now has a black door), but I know it's there! There was a shop called "Notting Hill" that looked similar to the travel book shop from the film.

Notting Hill

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park

I went to Kensington Palace, but did not go around the front! I can't believe I forgot to get a photo and walk around the front of the palace, but I had a lot to see and do and not a lot of time. So I went around back and walked through the orangery behind Kensington Palace and walked by the Statue of Queen Victoria. I stopped for a minute beside the pond before starting toward Hyde Park.

The Orangery behind Kensington Palace

The Peter Pan Statue was commissioned by Peter Pan's creator, JM Barrie in 1902. It is located in Kensington Gardens. The statue has squirrels, mice, and faeries climbing up to meet Peter Pan.

Peter Pan Statue

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is located in Hyde Park. This was a bit disappointing, but is located in a peaceful area so is a good place for a rest. The fountain is a meandering, low fountain that looks like a drain. The idea is that people can sit beside it and wade in it and enjoy peace and serenity. It guess that was achieved, but I found it slightly unimpressive. It is in a nice park, though.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

I wish I had had more time to spend in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park because it would be a nice place to take a break from the rush and push of the city.

For more information about other areas and attractions in London, please see my articles about Westminster Abbey, Abbey Road, and the London Tube.

Westminster Abbey
Abbey Road
Mind The Gap

~Angie

The Medina In Fez

One highlight in Fez, Morocco, is the Medina. This is an amazing network of alleyways and passages in the Old City. Ten thousand people live in this area of Fez. It is a confusing network of passages that have businesses, restaurants, and homes off them that seem to be hidden. It is recommended that you have a guide who knows his or her way around as you could very easily become lost in the maze. My guide had lived there his whole life and still got lost sometimes!

View of the Medina

A wool business in the Medina

Chickens for sale

There is lots to see, hear, and smell in the Medina. You also have to watch out for local traffic in the form of donkey carts, motorcycles, and trucks! If someone yells "Belek!", get out of the way fast! It means that something is coming up behind you and it is best to move off the road. My group was waiting outside a spice shop for people who were purchasing items when a truck came along the pathway. We all had to hurry out of the way into another shop opposite or risk being run over!

A heavy laden donkey blocking the path

Banners overhanging the passages of the Medina

One main attraction in the Medina is the Tannery. This is where leather is coloured using natural dyes such as mint, poppy, indigo and saffron. The leather is first placed in pigeon dung, then in the dyes, so the Tannery is very smelly. You are given a sprig of mint at the door as you enter to help fend off the smells if you need it. I am from a farming community in Alberta, Canada and the smell wasn't any worse than a cattle ranch or pig farm.

The Tannery

Another attraction in the Medina is the former Royal Palace. This palace was destroyed during the Lisbon, Portugal earthquake in 1755. It is possible to wander around the courtyard and the surrounding former palace residence. It is very interesting because you can see the damage that the earthquake caused quite clearly in the courtyard.

The courtyard of the former Royal Palace

So, if you are in Fez, Morocco, be sure to visit the Medina. 

~Angie